We all know that we need vitamins, minerals and herbs from our foods. But, even if we eat well, and most of us don’t, we still need some supplements to our food intake for various reasons or for specific requirements. Often we don’t really understand the contribution that each of these nutrients bring to our body maintenance, function and wellness. Because of that, we neglect giving what our boy requires. Let’s take a look at the role of minerals in our body.
Minerals are vital nutrients needed for the health of our entire body. They are earthly elements of characteristic chemical composition. Every living cell on the earth depends to various degrees and levels on minerals for function and structure. In our body, they are needed for the proper composition, formation, maintenance and regulation of body fluids, the blood and bones, nerve function, muscle tone and cardiovascular system.
Like vitamins, minerals work in synergy with enzymes and other substances and nutrients and are essential for proper body functions, including the production of energy, growth and healing processes.
Minerals have not received as much attention as vitamins and herbs but accumulating evidence show that we receive less and less of these from our foods, due to soil depletion, and inadequate food choices and combination, etc. As with vitamins it is important that minerals are in proper balance within the body and within our supplemental administration.
The balance of minerals depends on the level and ratio of one mineral to another, and on their competition to be absorbed. For example too much calcium can affect magnesium; zinc can deplete copper, etc. If there is an imbalance and it is not corrected, a chain reaction can lead to deficiencies and even health problems. A health professional can help in analyzing the balance and requirement of an individual. Your doctor will usually find out when he sends you for blood tests.
For example, a couple of years ago I was taken to the hospital on some minor cardiovascular condition. While they did various blood tests, they found that I was low on potassium and gave me an oral shot of it right then and there in apple juice. So, since that time, I have made it a point to add one capsule a week to my diet, to maintain my healthy level of this mineral.
Minerals come in two groups: bulk or macro-minerals and trace or micro-minerals. Macro-minerals or bulk include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Micro-minerals or trace — which are found in our body or in foods in smaller quantities — include copper, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, sodium, potassium, iodine, iron, zinc, etc.
Minerals are available in fresh foods or in supplements, either single or in combination, with other nutrients. They are needed to maintain health, and/or to correct certain deficiencies caused by specific conditions or diseases or when the body is subjected to strenuous activities. But, again, like vitamins, most people do not get enough of these nutrients from our food supply. So it is important to add supplements to our diets.
The best way is always to seek to obtain them from food sources because they absorb better in combination with other food nutrients. It is worth taking the time to research which are highest in any given vitamins or minerals, making sure to add these foods to the daily diet. The next best way is to buy them in chelated form, which means that a process is added to the supplements that bind them to protein compounds to make them more absorbable.
Many of the essential minerals often come with a multi-vitamin supplements. Personally I use and recommend one supplement of multi-vitamins and one of multi-mineral, separately. This way you get a fuller combination of each within their individual, varied and balanced spectrum.
Like vitamins, minerals come in a large number of element types. A search to find out what each one specializes in within the sustenance of life, maintenance of health and body function, will help in your goal to optimal well-being. However, my advice is to keep it simple. Always start a health program with the multiple vitamins, multiple minerals and B-complex first. Only add isolated supplements after you’ve made the multiple and complex form a regular part of your daily health program or, of course if directed by your doctor or health professional./dmh
Diane M. Hoffmann is a certified nutritional consultant and an entrepreneur of offline and online businesses. Diane offers a page on health and stress management for business people on her web site at http://www.build-your-internet-business-now.com/health-stress-management.html because if anyone needs to keep healthy it’s a business owner who can’t just call in sick when he/she is! Articles copyright(c)2010 Diane M. Hoffmann. You may reprint this article without any changes, making sure to include this bio.
